| Dates: | 1879-1973 |
| Size: | 7 linear feet (12 archival boxes) |
| Repository: | Chicago Public Library, Carter G. Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature, 9525 S. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60628 |
| Collection Number: | 1996/02 |
| Provenance: | Donation of Bennett Johnson, March 1996. Johnson was the director of Path Press. At his Path Press office, he received the papers as a gift from Wilson’s grandson, with the hope that they might assist someone in writing a book about Edith Wilson. |
| Access: | No restrictions |
| Citation: | When quoting material from this collection the preferred citation is: Edith Wilson Papers [Box #, Folder #], Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature, Chicago Public Library. |
| Processed by: | Mapping the Stacks Staff: Melissa Barton, Doron Galili, Moira Hinderer, Celeste Day Moore, Traci Parker, Christina Petersen, Marcia Walker. |
| Supervised by: | Michael Flug, Senior Archivist, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature, CPL. |
Biographical Note
Highly regarded as a blues singer and vaudeville performer by the 1920s, Edith Wilson went on to perform on radio, television, and as a spokeswoman for the Quaker Oats Company. Wilson was born Edith Goodall on September 2, 1896, in Louisville, Kentucky to Susan Jones and Hundley Goodall. After performing locally in her youth and at Louisville’s Park Theater, Wilson moved to Chicago and worked in local cabarets and clubs in 1921. In this period, she formed a musical trio with siblings Lena Wilson and Danny Wilson. Edith was married to Danny Wilson from 1921 until his death in 1928.
Wilson became well known for her song, “He May Be Your Man (But He Comes to See Me Sometimes),” but her first recording was “Nervous Blues,” which she recorded with Johnny Dunn’s Jazz Hounds in 1921 for Columbia Records. In that same year, she appeared in the all-black revue Put and Take, after which Wilson was a constant presence on stages in New York and Europe. Throughout the 1920s, she toured with the Theater Owners Booking Association (TOBA) circuit and performed in New York, including a long run with the Fletcher Henderson Orchestra at Club Alabam. She also sang and performed in comedy skits in Lew Leslie’s Plantation Revue, European revues Chocolate Kiddies and Leslie’s Blackbirds tour, and in longer theater runs in Paris.
Wilson transitioned from the heyday of black revues to less frequent performances in the early 1930s, working alongside Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Bill Robinson, Cab Calloway, Noble Sissle, Bubber Miley, and Jimmie Lunceford. Looking for steadier work in the late 1930s, Wilson moved to California and toured on Burt Levy’s West Coast Circuit. She also took on small acting roles in the films I’m Still Alive (1940) and To Have and Have Not (1944), and larger roles on the radio programs The Great Gildersleeve and Amos ‘n’ Andy, in which she played the mother-in-law of Kingfish. She also performed with the United Service Organization (USO) on US military bases during World War II. She met Millard Wilson in this period and they married in 1947.
Around 1948, Wilson was hired by the Quaker Oats Company to portray the character of Aunt Jemima, a cook who was featured on the boxes of the company’s pancake mixes. Wilson referred to herself frequently as the “last Aunt Jemima” but she was actually one of at least four women who represented the character for Quaker Oats in the 1950s and 1960s. These performers included Aylene Lewis, who worked in “Aunt Jemima’s Pancake House” at Disneyland, and Ethel Ernestine Harper and Rosie Hall, who both toured as Aunt Jemima. Wilson represented the company on the radio (where she could be heard on either a weekly or thrice-weekly radio program on ABC), was seen in television appearances, and in-person for civic, charity, and service clubs across the country. Throughout this period, the NAACP and other civil rights organizations campaigned against racist portrayals of African-American life. These groups specifically targeted the “Aunt Jemima” character and called for an end to it. Following such pressure, Quaker Oats ended local appearances of Aunt Jemima in 1965 and subsequently ended Wilson’s employment in 1966.
Wilson meanwhile devoted more time to professional and charitable activities for black musicians and actors. She became executive secretary of the Negro Actors Guild and worked with various organizations in Chicago, including the National Association of Negro Musicians that assisted talented children in the 1970s. Wilson was also involved with Chicago’s Theatrical Cheer Club, an organization of veteran entertainers and musicians that raised money for Chicago musicians. In the early 1970s, Wilson began recording and performing again until her final live show at the 1980 Newport Jazz Festival. She died in 1981 at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago.
Bibliography
“Actress Seeks Home for Entertainers.” New York Amsterdam News. January 25, 1958.
George-Graves, Nadine. The Royalty of Negro Vaudeville: The Whitman Sisters and the Negotiation of Race, Gender and Class in African American Theater, 1900-1940. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 2000.
Harris, Sheldon. Blues Who’s Who: A Biographical Dictionary of Blues Singers. New Rochelle, NY: Arlington House, 1979.
Harrison, Daphne Duval. Black Pearls: Blues Queens of the 1920s. New Brunswick: Rutgers University Press, 1988.
Manring, M.M. Slave in a Box: The Strange Career of Aunt Jemima. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1998.
Southern, Eileen. Biographical Dictionary of Afro-American and African Musicians. Westport, Conn: Greenwood Press, 1982.
Watkins, Mel. On the Real Side- Laughing, Lying, and Signifying: The Underground Tradition of African-American Humor that Transformed American Culture, From Slavery to Richard Pryor. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1994.
Scope and Content
The Edith Wilson Papers have been arranged in nine separate series: Manuscripts, Correspondence, Programs and Fliers, Serials, Clippings, Quaker Oats Material, Personal Financial, Memorabilia, and Photographs. The bulk of the papers include material from Wilson’s life (1896-1981). Most material related to Wilson’s personal and professional life has been arranged in separate categories according to type, except for material related to her employment for the Quaker Oats Company. All correspondence, memorabilia, financial, and clippings related to Wilson’s employment and role as Aunt Jemima is included in the Quaker Oats series. Related papers at the Harsh Research Collection include the Charles Walton Papers and the Theodore Charles Stone Papers.
Series 1. Manuscripts, 1879-1959
This series begins with manuscript material written by Wilson, arranged chronologically, and is followed by manuscript material by others. This series includes sheet music, lyrics, and a document referencing the 1877 religious conversion of Nellie Ball in Louisville, Kentucky at Fifth Street Baptist Church.
Series 2. Correspondence, 1936-1970
This series is arranged alphabetically by correspondent and includes material related to Wilson’s personal and professional life. Correspondence related to her work for Quaker Oats is arranged separately under that series (Series 6).
Series 3. Programs and Fliers, 1950-1970
This series is arranged chronologically and includes programs and fliers related to Wilson’s professional life as an actor and musician.
Series 4. Serials, 1954-1973
This series is arranged alphabetically by serial name. Most of the serials are music industry publications, including Song Parade and Latest Flash Song Hits.
Series 5. Clippings, 1921-1968
This series is organized chronologically and includes clippings of Wilson’s early stage career in New York and those that she clipped later in life.
Series 6. Quaker Oats Material, 1948-1965
This series is arranged into six sub-series, including Business and Travel, Correspondence, Clippings, Manuscripts, Serials, and Memorabilia.
Series 7. Personal Financial, 1935-1970
This series is arranged chronologically and includes Wilson’s personal financial records.
Series 8. Memorabilia, 1930s-1960s
This series includes memorabilia from Wilson’s life and includes a poster-sized Christmas greeting card from Duke Ellington.
Series 9. Photographs, 1890s-1966
This series is arranged chronologically and includes photographs from Wilson’s personal life and photographs of her portraying Quaker Oats’ Aunt Jemima character.
Container List
| Series 1: Manuscripts, 1879-1959 | ||
| Box 1 | Folder 1 | Manuscripts, Birthday Calendar, 1955 |
| Box 1 | Folder 2 | Manuscripts, Manuscript Fragments, undated |
| Box 1 | Folder 3 | Manuscripts, Manuscript Fragments, undated |
| Box 1 | Folder 4 | Manuscripts, Other, Afro-American Heritage Association, 1959 (?) |
| Box 1 | Folder 5 | Manuscripts, Other, Burnessen, Mary, Sheet Music for "Ohio Twilight,", undated |
| Box 1 | Folder 6 | Manuscripts, Other, Gilbert, W.S. and Arthur Sullivan, Lyrics of "A Many Years Ago," copyright 1878 |
| Box 1 | Folder 7 | Manuscripts, Other, Gilbert, W.S. and Arthur Sullivan, Lyrics for "We Sail the Ocean Blue," copyright 1878 |
| Box 1 | Folder 8 | Manuscripts, Other, Mills, Irving et al, Sheet Music for "I Haven’t Changed a Thing," 1938 |
| Box 1 | Folder 9 | Manuscripts, Other, Unknown Author, "Nellie Ball Got Religion…," circa 1879 |
| Box 1 | Folder 10 | Manuscripts, Other, Unknown Author, "Alphabet with Meaning," undated |
| Box 1 | Folder 11 | Manuscripts, Other, Unknown Author, "Don’t Quit," undated |
| Box 1 | Folder 12 | Manuscripts, Other, Unknown Author, "Roll on Oakies," undated |
| Box 2 | Folder 1 | Manuscripts, Other, Alfred, Roy and Fred Wise, Full Score for "The Best Man," 1946 |
| Series 2: Correspondence, 1936-1970 | ||
| Box 3 | Folder 1 | Correspondence, American Friends Service Committee, 1969 |
| Box 3 | Folder 2 | Correspondence, Armour and Company, 1958 |
| Box 3 | Folder 3 | Correspondence, Bushell, Hilda, 1962 |
| Box 3 | Folder 4 | Correspondence, C.I.T Corporation (L.S. Frank), 1936 |
| Box 3 | Folder 5 | Correspondence, Chapel, Jubilee, undated |
| Box 3 | Folder 6 | Correspondence, Continental Illinois National Bank and Trust, 1958 |
| Box 3 | Folder 7 | Correspondence, DuSable Museum of African American History, 1970 |
| Box 3 | Folder 8 | Correspondence, Envelopes, 1955-61 |
| Box 3 | Folder 9 | Correspondence, "Evans" ["Your Sis"]. 1970 |
| Box 3 | Folder 10 | Correspondence, Feinstein, Simon S., 1953 |
| Box 3 | Folder 11 | Correspondence, Franklin, Anna, undated |
| Box 3 | Folder 12 | Correspondence, "Grace," 1957 |
| Box 3 | Folder 13 | Correspondence, Grant, Mable, undated |
| Box 3 | Folder 14 | Correspondence, Haddock, Davis, 1962 |
| Box 3 | Folder 15 | Correspondence, Handy, W.C. Family, 1958 |
| Box 3 | Folder 16 | Correspondence, Handy Brothers Music Company, 1954 |
| Box 3 | Folder 17 | Correspondence, Harlies (?), 1968 |
| Box 3 | Folder 18 | Correspondence, Harmon, Ted and Margaret, undated |
| Box 3 | Folder 19 | Correspondence, Harney, Lloyd W.W., undated |
| Box 3 | Folder 20 | Correspondence, Hughes, Langston, 1955-61 |
| Box 3 | Folder 21 | Correspondence, "Leonce," undated |
| Box 3 | Folder 22 | Correspondence, Luis S. Gonzalez Company, 1961 |
| Box 3 | Folder 23 | Correspondence, Murray, Jennie, undated |
| Box 3 | Folder 24 | Correspondence, Nash, Charles Wilson, undated |
| Box 3 | Folder 25 | Correspondence, National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, 1961-70 |
| Box 3 | Folder 26 | Correspondence, Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters, 1970 |
| Box 3 | Folder 27 | Correspondence, Patton, Ann, undated |
| Box 3 | Folder 28 | Correspondence, Pierson, Wiela, 1962 |
| Box 3 | Folder 29 | Correspondence, Rabin, Sam (Sir John Hotel), 1958 |
| Box 3 | Folder 30 | Correspondence, Snelson, Floyd, circa 1950 |
| Box 3 | Folder 31 | Correspondence, Standley, J.E., 1939 |
| Box 3 | Folder 32 | Correspondence, Swan, Agnes J., undated |
| Box 3 | Folder 33 | Correspondence, Truesdell Fur Company, 1961 |
| Box 3 | Folder 34 | Correspondence, Wilson, Mrs., undated |
| Box 3 | Folder 35 | Correspondence, Young, Charles, 1961 |
| Box 3 | Folder 36 | Correspondence, Other, Stevenson, Mary L., 1970 |
| Series 3: Programs and Fliers, 1950-1970 | ||
| Box 3 | Folder 37 | Programs and Fliers, English Translation of While the Past Burns, 1950 (?) |
| Box 3 | Folder 38 | Programs and Fliers, Negro Actors’ Guild of America 14th Annual Performance, 1951 |
| Box 3 | Folder 39 | Programs and Fliers, Harlem Committee for Civil Defense Dinner Dance, 1952 |
| Box 3 | Folder 40 | Programs and Fliers, Theodore Charles Stone, 1950s (?) |
| Box 3 | Folder 41 | Programs and Fliers, Calgary Stampede Parade, 1962 |
| Box 3 | Folder 42 | Programs and Fliers, "Picnic in Space," 1963 |
| Box 3 | Folder 43 | Programs and Fliers, Berean Baptist Church Senior Choir’s Handel’s Messiah, 1965 |
| Box 3 | Folder 44 | Programs and Fliers, Negro Actors Guild of America Annual Luncheon, 1970 |
| Series 4: Serials, 1954-1973 | ||
| Box 3 | Folder 45 | Serials, Book Mission of Evangelical Lutheran Church, no. 134, undated |
| Box 3 | Folder 46 | Serials, The Handy News, 1954 |
| Box 3 | Folder 47 | Serials, Hit Parader, March 1947 |
| Box 3 | Folder 48 | Serials, Hit Parader, September 1947 |
| Box 3 | Folder 49 | Serials, Latest Flash Song Hits, undated |
| Box 3 | Folder 50 | Serials, Latest Flash Song Hits, undated |
| Box 3 | Folder 51 | Serials, National Song Parade, undated |
| Box 3 | Folder 52 | Serials, National Song Parade, undated |
| Box 3 | Folder 53 | Serials, National Song Parade, undated |
| Box 3 | Folder 54 | Serials, Prosperity Hit Parader, undated |
| Box 3 | Folder 55 | Serials, Song Parade, September 1941 |
| Box 3 | Folder 56 | Serials, Stand By! (American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, September-October 1954 |
| Box 3 | Folder 57 | Serials, Swinging ’Round Town, July 10, 1943 |
| Box 3 | Folder 58 | Serials, Writers’ Journal, March 1951 |
| Box 3 | Folder 59 | Serials, Writers’ Journal, April 1951 |
| Series 5: Clippings, 1921-1968 | ||
| Box 4 | Folder 1 | Clippings, Review of "Shuffle Along," New York Daily News, 1921 |
| Box 4 | Folder 2 | Clippings, "’Rhapsody in Black’ Opens, ’Liberty Jones’ Continues," [n.p.], 1931 |
| Box 4 | Folder 3 | Clippings, "Judd Jacobson Lives in a House for Quadriplegic in Owatonna," Minneapolis Sunday Tribune, 1961 |
| Box 4 | Folder 4 | Clippings, "Echoes of Spring" on Theatrical Cheer Club, Downbeat, 1968 |
| Box 4 | Folder 5 | Clippings, From Screen and Radio Hits, undated |
| Box 4 | Folder 6 | Clippings, From "National Song Hits Review," undated |
| Box 4 | Folder 7 | Clippings, "Love Crosses a Barrier," [n.p., undated] |
| Box 4 | Folder 8 | Clippings, "He’s Joined the Union," [n.p., undated] |
| Box 4 | Folder 9 | Clippings, "Hundreds Attend Rites for Bauman and Jackson," [n.p., undated] |
| Box 4 | Folder 10 | Clippings, "Faith in Decaying South Loop takes her life," [n.p., undated] |
| Box 4 | Folder 11 | Clippings, "Reducing Doesn’t Mean Hunger, Go On and Eat," [n.p., undated] |
| Series 6: Quaker Oats Material, 1948-1963 | ||
| A. Sub-Series: Business and Travel, 1954-1962 | ||
| Box 5 | Folder 1 | Quaker Oats, Business and Travel, Advertising for Aunt Jemima Day, 1954 |
| Box 5 | Folder 2 | Quaker Oats, Business and Travel, Advertising, 1957 |
| Box 5 | Folder 3 | Quaker Oats, Business and Travel, Dog Pedigree, 1958 |
| Box 5 | Folder 4 | Quaker Oats, Business and Travel, Travel Expenses, 1958-1963 |
| Box 5 | Folder 5 | Quaker Oats, Business and Travel, Travel Schedules, 1950s |
| Box 5 | Folder 6 | Quaker Oats, Business and Travel, Statements of Earnings, 1960-62 |
| Box 5 | Folder 7 | Quaker Oats, Business and Travel, Travel Guidelines, undated |
| B. Sub-Series: Correspondence, 1955-1963 | ||
| Box 5 | Folder 8 | Quaker Oats, Correspondence, Beers, W. (fan mail), 1960-1961 |
| Box 5 | Folder 9 | Quaker Oats, Correspondence, Bergstrom, D.W., 1958 |
| Box 5 | Folder 10 | Quaker Oats, Correspondence, Bullwinkel, Bill, 1955 |
| Box 5 | Folder 11 | Quaker Oats, Correspondence, Butcher, Mrs. Jim, 1957 |
| Box 5 | Folder 12 | Quaker Oats, Correspondence, Calyman, Charles, 1957 |
| Box 5 | Folder 13 | Quaker Oats, Correspondence, Feldman, David H., 1958 |
| Box 5 | Folder 14 | Quaker Oats, Correspondence, Fragments, undated |
| Box 5 | Folder 15 | Quaker Oats, Correspondence, Hillcrest Sanatorium (Rowena Truman), 1956 |
| Box 5 | Folder 16 | Quaker Oats, Correspondence, Kendrix, Moss H., 1955 |
| Box 5 | Folder 17 | Quaker Oats, Correspondence, Kiwanis Club of Parkersburg, WV, 1956 |
| Box 5 | Folder 18 | Quaker Oats, Correspondence, Madison Jaycees, 1961 |
| Box 5 | Folder 19 | Quaker Oats, Correspondence, Muskegon Lions Club, 1962 |
| Box 5 | Folder 20 | Quaker Oats, Correspondence, Quaker Oats Company, Public Relations, 1963 |
| Box 5 | Folder 21 | Quaker Oats, Correspondence, Quaker Oats Company, Sales Promotion (J.E. Mason), 1961-62 |
| Box 5 | Folder 22 | Quaker Oats, Correspondence, Quaker Oats Company, Sales Promotion (Ralph Tallmadge), undated |
| Box 5 | Folder 23 | Quaker Oats, Correspondence, Wyman, Vyra, 1961 |
| C. Sub-Series: Clippings, 1950-1958 | ||
| Box 5 | Folder 24 | Quaker Oats, Clippings, "Meet the New ’Jemima’," Chicago Defender, 3/4/1950 |
| Box 5 | Folder 25 | Quaker Oats, Clippings, "Edith Wilson on ’Aunt Jemima’ Show," Pittsburgh Courier, 3/4/1950 |
| Box 5 | Folder 26 | Quaker Oats, Clippings, Untitled, World Tattler, 3/7/1950 |
| Box 5 | Folder 27 | Quaker Oats, Clippings, "Modern Aunt Jemima," Atlanta Daily World, 3/9/1950 |
| Box 5 | Folder 28 | Quaker Oats, Clippings, "The Modern ’Aunt Jemima,’" California Eagle, 3/9/1950 |
| Box 5 | Folder 29 | Quaker Oats, Clippings, "Radio Star on Commercial Program," Plaindealer, 3/10/1950 |
| Box 5 | Folder 30 | Quaker Oats, Clippings, "Edith Wilson, Former Broadway Blues Singer--Modern Aunt Jemima," The Progressive Herald, 3/11/1950 |
| Box 5 | Folder 31 | Quaker Oats, Clippings, "New ’Aunt,’" New York Age, 3/11/1950 |
| Box 5 | Folder 32 | Quaker Oats, Clippings, "Edith Wilson, Modern Aunt Jemima," Detroit Tribune, 3/11/1950 |
| Box 5 | Folder 33 | Quaker Oats, Clippings, "Former Broadway Blues Singer Modern Aunt Jemima," Chicago World, 3/11/1950 |
| Box 5 | Folder 34 | Quaker Oats, Clippings, "Former Broadway Blues Singer," Florida Tattler, 3/11/1950 |
| Box 5 | Folder 35 | Quaker Oats, Clippings, "Kiwanis Guest Slips Between Antennas to Courthouse Lawn," [n.p.], 1950s |
| Box 5 | Folder 36 | Quaker Oats, Clippings, "Aunt Jemima Faces Busy Schedule," Newark Advocate, 2/12/1958 |
| Box 5 | Folder 37 | Quaker Oats, Clippings, Advertisement--"Aunt Jemima in Person…", [n.p.], 2/15/1958 |
| Box 5 | Folder 38 | Quaker Oats, Clippings, Advertisement--"Aunt Jemima’s Coming," [n.p.], 2/15/1958 |
| Box 5 | Folder 39 | Quaker Oats, Clippings, Untitled, [n.p.], 1950s |
| Box 5 | Folder 40 | Quaker Oats, Clippings, "Gaddings" by Gladys M. Johnson, [n.p., undated] |
| D. Sub-Series: Manuscripts, 1948-1954 | ||
| Box 5 | Folder 41 | Quaker Oats, Manuscripts, 15-Minute Closed Circuit Broadcast, 1954 |
| Box 5 | Folder 42 | Quaker Oats, Manuscripts, Untitled Television or Radio Script, undated |
| Box 5 | Folder 43 | Quaker Oats, Manuscripts, Script for "Aunt Jemima Quaker Man," undated |
| Box 5 | Folder 44 | Quaker Oats, Manuscripts, Aunt Jemima Biographical Background, undated |
| Box 6 | Folder 1 | Quaker Oats, Manuscripts, "Aunt Jemima ’Stir Lightly’ Song," 1948 |
| E. Sub-Series: Serials, 1950-1954 | ||
| Box 7 | Folder 1 | Quaker Oats, Serials, World Tattler, 3/7/1950 |
| Box 7 | Folder 2 | Quaker Oats, Serials, The Cedar Rapids Gazette, 11/24/1952 |
| Box 7 | Folder 3 | Quaker Oats, serials, Manistee News-Advocate, 7/3/1954 |
| F. Sub-Series: Memorabilia, 1954-1962 | ||
| Box 8 | Folder 1 | Quaker Oats, Memorabilia, Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival Brochures, 1954 |
| Box 8 | Folder 2 | Quaker Oats, Memorabilia, Plaque, William Jewell College, 1954 |
| Box 8 | Folder 3 | Quaker Oats, Memorabilia, Kiwanis Certificate, 1958 |
| Box 8 | Folder 4 | Quaker Oats, Memorabilia, Kiwanis Dinner Ticket, 1961 |
| Box 8 | Folder 5 | Quaker Oats, Memorabilia, Quaker Oats Weekly Planner, 1962 |
| Box 8 | Folder 6 | Quaker Oats, Memorabilia, Nameplate from Michigan Junior Chamber of Commerce, undated |
| Box 8 | Folder 7 | Quaker Oats, Memorabilia, Rag Doll Family Advertisement, undated |
| Box 8 | Folder 8 | Quaker Oats, Memorabilia, Rag Doll Family, undated |
| Box 8 | Folder 9 | Quaker Oats, Memorabilia, Placemats, undated |
| Series 7: Personal Financial, 1935-1970 | ||
| Box 9 | Folder 1 | Personal Financial, Bill from Mr. Wilfred Smith, 1935 |
| Box 9 | Folder 2 | Personal Financial, Vehicle Expenses, 1935-61 |
| Box 9 | Folder 3 | Personal Financial, Taxes, 1947-61 |
| Box 9 | Folder 4 | Personal Financial, Legal Affidavit Insurance Policy, 1952 |
| Box 9 | Folder 5 | Personal Financial, Membership Cards, 1953-62 |
| Box 9 | Folder 6 | Personal Financial, Cass County (MI) Abstract Office Statement, 1954 |
| Box 9 | Folder 7 | Personal Financial, Bank Records, 1955-70 |
| Box 9 | Folder 8 | Personal Financial, Insurance, 1957-61 |
| Box 9 | Folder 9 | Personal Financial, Utility Bills, 1957-61 |
| Box 9 | Folder 10 | Personal Financial, Receipts, circa 1960 |
| Box 9 | Folder 11 | Personal Financial, Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, 1960 |
| Box 9 | Folder 12 | Personal Financial, Medical Expenses, 1960 |
| Box 9 | Folder 13 | Personal Financial, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, 1961 |
| Box 9 | Folder 14 | Personal Financial, Paystubs for Millard Wilson, 1961 |
| Box 9 | Folder 15 | Personal Financial, Louisville Gas and Electric Annual Report, 1969 |
| Box 9 | Folder 16 | Personal Financial, Business Cards, undated |
| Series 8: Memorabilia, 1930s-1960s | ||
| Box 9 | Folder 17 | Memorabilia, Travel, 1930s |
| Box 9 | Folder 18 | Memorabilia, Travel, 1960s |
| Box 9 | Folder 19 | Memorabilia, Theatrical Cheer Club, 1960s |
| Box 9 | Folder 20 | Memorabilia, W.C. Handy material, undated |
| Box 9 | Folder 21 | Memorabilia, Postcards of Steppin Fetchit (signed), undated |
| Box 9 | Folder 22 | Memorabilia, Travel, undated |
| Box 9 | Folder 23 | Memorabilia, Travel, undated |
| Box 10 | Folder 1 | Memorabilia, Greeting Cards, undated |
| Box 10 | Folder 2 | Memorabilia, Christmas Cards, undated |
| Box 10 | Folder 3 | Memorabilia, Christmas Cards, undated |
| Box 10 | Folder 4 | Memorabilia, Christmas Cards, undated |
| Box 10 | Folder 5 | Memorabilia, Christmas Cards, undated |
| Box 10 | Folder 6 | Memorabilia, Greeting Cards, undated |
| Box 11 | Folder 1 | Memorabilia, Placemats, undated |
| Box 11 | Folder 2 | Memorabilia, Christmas Card from Duke Ellington |
| Box 11 | Folder 3 | Memorabilia, Datebooks |
| Series 9: Photographs, 1890s-1966 | ||
| Box 12 | Folder 1 | Photographs, Portrait of Woman, Garvin Studios, Chicago, [1890s] |
| Box 12 | Folder 2 | Photographs, Portrait of Child, Varney Studios, Chicago, [1890s] |
| Box 12 | Folder 3 | Photographs, Wrecked Car, Chicago, [1920s] |
| Box 12 | Folder 4 | Photographs, Tony Wilson [1920s?] |
| Box 12 | Folder 5 | Photographs, Wilson siblings [1930s] |
| Box 12 | Folder 6 | Photographs, Edith Louise Pinkston at Lad’N Lassie Studio [1930s] |
| Box 12 | Folder 7 | Photographs, Portrait of Edith Wilson, 1930s |
| Box 12 | Folder 8 | Photographs, Portrait of Edith Wilson, 1930s |
| Box 12 | Folder 9 | Photographs, Portrait of Edith Wilson, 1930s |
| Box 12 | Folder 10 | Photographs, Portrait of Edith Wilson, 1940s |
| Box 12 | Folder 11 | Photographs, Edith Wilson receiving key to Rockford, IL [1950s] |
| Box 12 | Folder 12 | Photographs, Edith Wilson at Kiwanis Club, Rockford, IL [1950s] |
| Box 12 | Folder 13 | Photographs, Edith Wilson as "Aunt Jemima," [circa 1950] |
| Box 12 | Folder 14 | Photographs, Edith Wilson as "Aunt Jemima," [circa 1950] |
| Box 12 | Folder 15 | Photographs, Edith Wilson as "Aunt Jemima," [circa 1950] |
| Box 12 | Folder 16 | Photographs, Edith Wilson as "Aunt Jemima," Sunnyview Home for Crippled Children, Schenectady, NY [1950s] |
| Box 12 | Folder 17 | Photographs, Edith Wilson as "Aunt Jemima," Lubbock Lions Club, [1950s] |
| Box 12 | Folder 18 | Photographs, Edith Wilson as "Aunt Jemima," with unknown minister [1950s] |
| Box 12 | Folder 19 | Photographs, Edith Wilson as "Aunt Jemima," on television program, 1954 |
| Box 12 | Folder 20 | Photographs, Moss H. Kendrix, Yvonne Abel, Dr. H.A. Lester, Mrs. W.O. Bunche, Edith Wilson, and Norman E. Jones (l to r), Chicago, [1950s] |
| Box 12 | Folder 21 | Photographs, Unknown, [1950s] |
| Box 12 | Folder 22 | Photographs, Unknown, [1950s] |
| Box 12 | Folder 23 | Photographs, Unknown, [1950s] |
| Box 12 | Folder 24 | Photographs, Unknown, [1950s] |
| Box 12 | Folder 25 | Photographs, Unknown, [1950s] |
| Box 12 | Folder 26 | Photographs, Unknown, [1950s] |
| Box 12 | Folder 27 | Photographs, Unknown, [1950s] |
| Box 12 | Folder 28 | Photographs, Rose and Baby Sis [1950s] |
| Box 12 | Folder 29 | Photographs, Unknown, Atlanta, GA, 1963 |
| Box 12 | Folder 30 | Photographs, Band Performance of Johnny Mitchell, Ted Fields, Freddie Johnson, Sam Wooding, Billy Burns, Tommy Ladnier, Bobby Martin, 1966 |
